Owen Davidson was one of the most successful and versatile tennis players of his era, winning 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, including eight with Billie Jean King. He was also the first player to win a match in the open era of tennis, ushering in a new era of professionalism and competition. He died on May 12, 2023, at the age of 79, after a long fight with cancer. Here is a look at his life, career, and legacy.
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Early Life and Career
Owen Keir Davidson was born on October 4, 1943, in Melbourne, Australia. He started playing tennis at the age of eight and soon showed his talent and potential. He won his first national junior title at the age of 15 and made his debut in the Australian Championships (now the Australian Open) in 1962, reaching the quarterfinals.
He quickly established himself as one of the best doubles players in the world, partnering with fellow Australians such as Bill Bowrey, Ken Rosewall, and John Newcombe. He also excelled in mixed doubles, winning his first Grand Slam title with Robyn Ebbern at the 1965 Australian Championships.
The Golden Year of 1967
1967 was a remarkable year for Davidson, as he achieved a rare feat of winning all four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles in a calendar year. He won the Australian Championships with Lesley Turner Bowrey, and then teamed up with Billie Jean King to win the French Championships, Wimbledon, and the US Championships. He also reached the semifinals of Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of the French Championships and the US Championships in singles, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 8.
He also made history by becoming the first player to win a match in the open era of tennis, which allowed professionals to compete with amateurs for prize money and prestige. He defeated John Clifton in the first round of the British Hard Court Championships in Bournemouth in April 1968, marking the beginning of a new chapter in tennis history.
The Partnership with Billie Jean King
Davidson formed a formidable partnership with Billie Jean King, one of the greatest female tennis players of all time and a pioneer for women’s rights and equality in sports. They won eight Grand Slam mixed doubles titles together, including three Wimbledon titles and three US Open titles. They also played a key role in promoting the World Team Tennis (WTT) league, which featured men and women playing on equal terms in a team format.
Davidson and King had a close friendship and mutual respect, both on and off the court. They supported each other’s causes and campaigns, such as King’s fight for equal pay for women in tennis and Davidson’s advocacy for animal welfare. They remained lifelong friends until Davidson’s death.
Later Years and Legacy
Davidson retired from professional tennis in 1974, after winning his last Grand Slam title with King at Wimbledon. He moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked as a tennis coach and instructor. He also became involved in various charitable and humanitarian projects, such as supporting orphanages in India and Africa.
He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, in 2010. He was also honored by his home country with induction into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on January 26, 2011.
Davidson died at a care center in Conroe, Texas, on May 12, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Sandra Davidson, his son Scott Davidson, his daughter Kelly Davidson-Arnold, and his four grandchildren.
He is remembered as one of the most accomplished and versatile tennis players of his era, who excelled in both singles and doubles, and who helped shape the modern game of tennis with his skill, passion, and sportsmanship.
According to The Washington Post, Billie Jean King paid tribute to her former partner and friend on Twitter: “Owen Davidson was my mixed doubles partner & friend for life. We shared many great moments on & off court & I will miss him dearly. He was a champion for tennis & for equality & he left an indelible mark on our sport.”
